Editor's Note: This is the fourth entry in a series on  "Why Muslims must engage in interfaith dialogue". The series contains excerpts from the author's presentation at the international symsposiom on “Islam and the New Era of ASEAN Countries: Unity of Worldview towards Shared Prosperity” held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on June 4-5, 2013. 

Previously: Interfaith dialogue: the Basilan experience

At the macro level, interfaith dialogue has contributed greatly in some way or another to the GHP-MILF peace negotiations. The Bishops-Ulama Conference (BUC) for example has been instrumental in unlocking the gaps and breaking the impasse of the negotiations between the MILF and the government during the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration which eventually led to the supposed signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on August 5, 2008. However, the MOA-AD was aborted through the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court of the Philippines on the eve of the signing ceremony. As a result, the conflict between the GRP and the MILF resumed.
 

Fortunately, your government, the Malaysian government came to the rescue and brokered the resumption of peace talks between the opposing parties which paved the way for the historic signing of the Framework Agreement for the Bangsamoro (FAB) on October 15, 2012 in Malacanang Palace, Manila, Philippines. In this connection, we, the Bangsamoro are very thankful to your government especially the present Malaysian administration for this great endeavor. May Allah bless you all and your country as a whole.

Historically, the long years of conflict in Mindanao have left several communities bereft of the peace and development that they rightfully deserve. The roots of these unrests could be traced to, among others, the prejudices and biases usually evident in a multi- cultural society. Conflict resolution practitioners described the Mindanao conflict “as a social problem with the existence of deep-seated prejudices characterized by mutual distrust and mutual suspicion” coupled with a long history of colonization. However, religion has always been in the limelight because the actors involved in the conflict happen to represent two different faiths. 

Due to the long history of conflict, Mindanao has been a critical area of focus for conflict resolution practitioners not only in the Philippines but also outside the country. Many research studies have looked into the root causes of the Mindanao conflict such as political, social, economic, cultural, land dispute, etc. Unfortunately, religion (Islam and Christianity) has always been one of the factors to exacerbate the conflict. Therefore, religious leaders will always be playing a critical role to end or to continue the conflict. It is on this context that interfaith organizations and religious leaders can offer the best that they can to make it or break it. In the words of Douglas Johnston, “in promoting peace and reconciliation, religious leaders and organizations offer credibility as trusted institutions; a respected set of values; moral warrants to oppose injustice; unique leverage for promoting reconciliation among conflicting parties; capability to mobilize community, nation, and international support for a peace process; and a sense of calling that often inspires perseverance in the face of major and otherwise debilitating obstacles.” On this precept interfaith dialogue needs more attention in pursuing our goal of peaceful coexistence between and among various religions in ASEAN in general and our respective countries in particular. We should leave a legacy, the greatest gift that we can give to our children and the next generation to come; that is, to raise them in a “culture of dialogue” for them to become men and women of PEACE.

COMING UP: Interfaith dialogue means respecting other's belief and spirituality

Alzad Sattar is Undersecretary at DepEd-ARMM, Secretary General at Basilan Ulama Supreme and Islamic Studies Professor at Basilan State College.